05 April 2011

Like last year, the AuDIYo.com room was displaying a number of high-end audio accessories, cables, audio connectors, tweaks and DIY parts from Furutech, Mundorf, DACT, TentLabs, 1877Phono and others.

The AuDIYo show setup was focused around the recently introduced Furutech GT40 USB DAC with phono stage - $495. The Furutech GT40 USB DAC with phono stage was previously used with a computer to make vinyl rips into 24bits/96kHz lossless digital files. The digital files were then played back through the DAC which fed a vintage Dynaco ST-70 tube amplifier, which in turn drove a pair of Klaro speakers. The quality of the vinyl rips was excellent and if you were not paying attention you would think that you are listening to a record as the recording preserved all the surface noise, pops and clicks one would expect from vinyl. The Furutech GT40 USB DAC also features a very good headphone amplifier and a pair of Sennheiser HD598 headphones were on hand to audition the head amp section.

The vintage Dynaco ST-70 tube amplifier on had been upgraded with Mundorf high voltage filter capacitors and M-Caps were used upgrade the signal and coupling caps. Simon Au of AuDIYo indicated that they are working on printed circuit boards and customizable kits that can be used to upgrade ST70 amplifiers. We will post an update when we get word that the upgrade kits are available.